Joseph Henry of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured a limited number of flintlock military pistols under government contracts from 1807-1808. Henry was contracted to manufacture a total of 650 pairs in that period; however, the total number of pistols actually completed is not known, and many government contractors failed to complete their orders. A "Gun Report" article indicated he delivered 1,468 pistols and purchased 724 of them back. The barrel has a brass blade front sight and is faintly marked with "J. HENRY PHILA" and remnants of an "eagle head/P" proof. The lock has a pronounced teat at the tail, a rounded flash pan with high fence, reinforced ring-neck hammer and is faintly marked "US" at the center and "J. HENRY/PHILA" at the tail. Provenance: The George Moller Collection